FamilyPoetry

The Front Porch Cardinal

By July 7, 2014August 21st, 2019No Comments

Here’s our story where it all started: the front porch. I gave this poem to Jon when we were dating. We now have it hanging on our wall (near the porch).

The Front Porch Cardinal

By: Quina Parchment

 

Remember that rare, red cardinal

that came near

and caused us to pause

with warm smiles of mirth

at each other

when we first

revealed our desires

for more with one another

on my front porch?

The same place—

I don’t think you fully knew then—

I have met with my Maker

to fellowship

many times before

where the forgiving, morning sun

has kindly lit up

pages proclaiming

His timeless love,

drawing me with gentle rays

to pray and receive

grace upon grace

at the threshold

between

my house

and the rest of the world.

And there you were, genuine

plopped as it were

by His giving hand

upon my front porch

gently, intentionally

pursuing me,

first as a friend

in a wintery season

that threatened to keep

me frozen indoors…

“What humor!” I thought,

What kindness

that Abba would pour

such grace as balm

to refresh

my soul’s callous

from that past season’s sores

and draw me again

through glimpses of Him

in your words, service, and worship

to this

front porch fellowship,

this missed,

nearly forgotten

daily renewal within,

with Him.

And now you, it seems

have become to me

that rare, red cardinal

who so beautifully,

surprisingly

has appeared

and keeps appearing to me,

causing me to pause

and smile while your brilliance of

stunning color,

so apparently displayed

thanks to His light

constantly catches my eye

and fills me with delight

to find your presence in my life

function so as to

move my feet

that they might

bring me again

to meet

outside

with my,

with our

Husband

our Maker and Savior,

forgiving Abba

who knows how to give

good gifts,

even cardinals, rare and red

to those who are His,

that they,

that I,

might find

the Giver the Gift,

savoring Him

singing praises with this

rare, red cardinal,

my best friend

drawn all the more

to front porch fellowship

with Him.

Quina Aragon

Quina Aragon

Quina Aragon's articles, poems, and spoken word videos have been featured on The Gospel Coalition, Risen Motherhood, Journey Women, Fathom Mag, and The Witness: BCC. She resides in Tampa, FL with her husband Jon and beautiful, three-year-old daughter. Quina's first children's book, Love Made, is a poetic retelling of the creation story that highlights God as the Trinity, humans as His image bearers, and children as a delightful gift.

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